Just wondering if anybody can point me in the most likely direction of where I would be able to find work. I am literally out of the workplace for 25 years and am IT illiterate and uninterested. I have raised 6 kids, childminded and fostered many many more over the years and done a course in counselling and psychotherapy and another in group facilitation but both of them were a good while ago now too. I had hoped to go back to work when my last youngest started school but number 6 appeared unexpectedely around that time and thent he plan was to go back when he started school but then he got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged 2 and I am his full time carer. He will be going into first class in September and has a full time sna and I would love to have something 3 mornings a week or so. I have very badly disrupted nights sleep most nights due to blood sugar alarm waking me a few times a night and am often tired but feel I cant just stay at home for the rest of my life as really I have only 2 kids at home now - the 13yo and the 6yo - some of the older ones live at home but you know what I mean - I dont want to turn around one day and have nothing for myself after they have all up and left ....

Whats the most likely area for me to find work in do you think? Where would ye start?

autumngirl think about what you'd like to do then go to your local education and training board and speak to their adult career guidance - they come to my local place once a month. they can help you find the course or perhaps the stepping stones in the local etb. I know they do the likes of childcare, healthcare assistant etc courses and my one did it during school hours bar July and a week at Easter but started after local school and finished around same time as local school so some where able to do it without the need of childcare. was also part time so only 2 days a week that you had to give over plus work experience when doing that.

jae I'm worried about that too to be honest. My little fella will be 7 this summer and thats why I'm starting to think about courses etc with the goal of getting back to an actual job over the next few years. Some days its hard to function at all though - its like having a new born baby constantly. Either dh or I also have to be on call for school all the time too and at the moment he works quite near to school but dont know if thats a long term thing (curently on contract). so lots to think about but just nice to think I could be something a bit more than a broken tired old nag at home ...

Thanks everyone - lots of ideas there - its only a tiny seed of a plan I have starting up in the back of my mind but think I need to try to find a bit of direction for myself these days! Will be looking into lots of those courses and of course I understand IT is in everything these days - I can manage the basics - its just more I dont really have any interest in further training unless for a specific job day to day.

If you like health etc maybe do an online course in alternative remedies etc. There are lots of jobs in shops like holland and Barratt etc. That you might pick up, i think places like them often run further training courses for their staff etc.

I came on to suggest home help for elderly people. You need a course but not a huge one. Could get a job in a day care centre or a alzheimers unit. Don't underestimate all your experience especially with foster children. That all adds to your CV. First do a social care Level 5 or health care Level 5. You have plenty of skills.

Or may e a doctors receptionist autumngirl - there are short courses for that. If I was to change careers it is something i would like. Very best of luck - it's not easy going back after such a long break- fair play to you. Tell friends you are looking also. Give it time - the right job will come along. Keep us posted.

How about training as a health care assistant if you are interested in Health. Lots of jobs in hospitals or nursing homes and you can do part time hours if you like. You do need to do a fetac course and some work experience but it's not a long course. Another route back to work is through voluntary work. Some cities have volunteer centres where they match your skills with available positions. I've seen positions locally working on children's arts festivals, teaching English etc, lots of variety. It would give you a huge amount of experience and confidence ready for when you interview for a paid job.

Thanks smilemum40 and everyone - I think I'd rather cut my hands off than do an IT course - sorry.... will look at those online courses though . Taking a break from the foreign students this year - have been doing that for 5 or 6 years now actually and find it stressful enough - wouldnt want to do it and work as well.

Its interesting that you say that you hate IT but you seem to be well capable of engaging here on RC - so I'd say that you probably would like it if you gave it a go - there are courses online available everywhere now - the ECDL would be something to aim for as whatever you do either in work (or not) everything is IT based now - your mobile phone is a mini-computer. So definitely would benefit you.

www.ecollege.ie is run by department of social protection - you might be eligible to do one of their courses - the great thing about them is you do it in your own time - and they've made it far more interesting than it used to be in the past.

Also it struck me that you have tons of experience with children and young people so you could consider taking in a foreign language student - lots of people do it who want a little extra money

Haha yes thanks all - I do know a lot of people who are doing/have done SNA work and the jobs are few and far between. One of my friends got a full time post after a part time post but she is the lucky one - I am often surprised how many people are training in it to be honest with so little work.

I used to do office work back in the old days - hated it - was a secretary/receptionist. I can still type quite decently but really am allergic to computers and IT (unless on RC of course...heehee) and would not fancy an office job. I make a bit of pocket money childminding and would need a job to cover that off once I stopped doing it but its not loads - minimum wage would do it easily and more .....

I dont really know what I want to do - I'm interested in health and nutrition and could do a course alright but to get any sort of real work in this area would need a degree and am not up to a degree brain/sleep wise and also financially. I think I just need a bit of luck/chance - just to see a sign up somewhere saying staff needed within just to get a foot back on the ladder and a bit of experience.

SNA jobs are very hard to come by, so before you go train I would check availability in your area (especially if you have children and need to collect at a time etc.) you have to be part of a panel and then when an SNA is needed it will be picked from that panel.... loads of SAHM's I know have gone back to train as an SNA and not one has taken a role up yet!